Suemori Castle, the residence of Oda Nobuhide, the head of the Katsuhata Oda family.

In fact, Suemori Castle was just beginning to serve as the base of the Katsuhata Oda family, and this newly built castle was home to Sannomaru, a magnificent palace built on the north side of the castle, and the prosperous castle town was full of passing merchants.

The Katsuhata Oda family, who had effectively taken control of Owari Province, gradually prospered under the leadership of Oda Nobuhide, the head of the Odari Tiger, who was known as the Tiger of Owari. Although the Oda family had suffered a lot of damage from the defeat of Ghana and there was a lot of opposition within the country, it was not enough to break the bones of the Katsuhata Oda family.

February 11, 16th year of astronomy.

In the castle tower of Suemori Castle, the Katsuhata Oda family has just finished a review, summed up the defeat at the Gana Pass a few days ago, and formulated a series of pacification policies, hoping to stabilize the territory.

Oda Nobuhide, who is just 36 years old, wears a mustache and sits upright in the castle tower of Suemori Castle in a hunting robe printed with the Oda family's papaya pattern, and several retainers of the Katsuhata Oda family sit below.

Being able to stay in the castle tower and continue to chat with Oda Nobuhide after the assessment is enough to show the status of these people in the Oda family.

Approaching Oda Nobuhide was an elderly samurai in his fifties with gray temples, and after a long silence in the hall, he slowly spoke, "My lord, the former Japanese family was defeated in Mino, and this matter has spread throughout the country, and there must be news in nearby Ise, Mikawa and other places. ”

"Since the eleventh year of the Battle of Kodozaka, the Imagawa family of Suruga has been planning a shame, and I believe that once the news of the new defeat of the Imagawa family is learned by Imagawa Yoshimoto, the Imagawa family will definitely fight back against Mikawa again, and the family has to guard against it."

"In addition, in this battle of Ghana, my family suffered heavy casualties. Especially the relatives of the family, for a long time in the future, the family will focus on appeasing the territory. In addition, Cheongju City has also made frequent moves recently, which can be described as an eventful season. ”

"Therefore, I thought that the main family should make a truce with the Saito family in Mino, and even form an alliance with them if it was feasible. After stabilizing the Mino side in this way, the family can concentrate on dealing with the pressure from the Imagawa family on the Mikawa side! ”

As soon as the old samurai's voice fell, Oda Nobuhide, who was sitting on the main seat, frowned, and after a long time, Oda Nobuhide spoke, "Gorouzaemon, although what you said is extremely reasonable, but the family and the Saito family have just had a big war, and the family is still the defeated side, how can the Saito family easily shake hands and make peace?" ”

Oda Nobuhide's worries were not unreasonable, and at this time Oda Nobuhide was even worried about whether Mino's Saito family would take the opportunity to attack Owari. As for the peace, Oda Nobuhide did not think that this matter could be successful.

"My lord." Seeing that Oda Nobuhide himself had little confidence, the aged samurai decided that it was time to give some anger to his lord, who was depressed because of the new defeat, "Saito Toshimasa is stealing the country's upper position, and the position is not right, and there are many unstable factors in Mino's country. Coupled with the fact that the former guardians of Toki Yorii and Toki Yorijun and others were also waiting for an opportunity to regain power, it can be said that the Saito family could only hold on to Mino for a long time. ”

"And if the Saito family is willing to make peace with the Saito family, the Saito family will have the opportunity to rectify the territory, so for the Saito family, it is happy to make peace with the Saito family." Hirate Masahide looked at Oda Nobuhide on the main seat with clear eyes, and the confidence and encouragement contained in his eyes made Oda Nobuhide feel a lot more at ease.

After carefully pondering the words of Masahide Hita, Oda Nobuhide also had to nod, "Masahide, what you said is extremely true, even so, the matter of peace with the Saito family will be left to you to take full responsibility!" ”

"Ha~ha!"

Oda Nobuhide was in the prime of life at this time, and it was supposed to be the time to show his skills to conquer the city, but he was taught to be a man by Mino Viper Saito Toshimasa at the mouth of Ghana, which made the arrogant Oda Nobuhide taste defeat for the first time.

"What about Nobunaga? Why is it missing today? Suddenly, Oda Nobuhide set his eyes on Lin Xiuzhen on the side, and he really had a headache for his son Oda Nobuhide.

Lin Xiuzhen suddenly chuckled in her heart, and then hurriedly replied, "Back to the lord, young master.... The young master should have thought about it behind closed doors in Nakono Castle at this time........"

"Hmph, I hope so!" Oda Nobuhide snorted coldly, ten days ago, Oda Nobunaga was bumped into by Oda Nobuhide on the spot when he peeked at a maid taking a bath, and it was nothing big to watch a maid take a bath. As Oda Nobunaga, it doesn't matter even if he rushes in and snaps up this maid.

However, the bad thing is that the maid that Oda Nobunaga peeked at was his mother, Mrs. Hanaya (Tsuchida Gozen). Eventually, at the behest of Mrs. Hanaya, Oda Nobuhide punished Oda Nobunaga for ten days of thinking behind closed doors at Nakono Castle.

"Lord!" At this moment, an attendant came to the outside of the main hall and said loudly, "Katsuhata Castle Castle Daisa Sakuma University is here to report that the Tsugawa Right Konoe General and his party, who were ordered by the lord to pay attention before, have arrived at Katsuhata Castle. If nothing else, you'll be in Suemori Castle by tomorrow night! ”

"Oh? It's finally here! Oda Nobuhide clapped his hands violently, and then said excitedly, "Order, send someone to clean up Suemori Castle immediately, and prepare to welcome your guests!" ”

"In addition, send someone to find Saburo (Oda Nobunaga), he can get the official position of De Hasuke all thanks to the right guard general's palace in front of the court, so it is reasonable to welcome the arrival of Tsugawa Hall with the family!"

"Ha~ha!"

.......

Katsuhata Castle, Sakuma wiped the sweat from his forehead, looked at the Tsugawa Soji and his party in front of him, who were almost out of sight, and breathed a long sigh of relief.

As early as half a month ago, Oda Nobuhide issued an order to let the lords of each castle pay attention to the head of the Dehanatsugawa family from the direction of Kyoto, and the Tsugawa Right Guard General Soji and his party. Originally, Sakuma Moritge was going to rest for a day today because of some dizziness, but he was suddenly told that a group of people claiming to be "Tsugawa Soji", the head of the Tsugawa family, had arrived outside the city, and Sakuma Moritge was so frightened that he jumped up directly from the tatami mat.

While hurriedly receiving Tsugawa Soji and his party, he sent someone to report to Oda Nobuhide in Suemori Castle.

Finally sent the head of the Tsugawa family, who was "scared to death" in front of him, out of the city as a gift, and Sakuma felt that his back was wet for a long time!

"That Sakuma Shengzhong just now was too eyeless, the lord came to Katsuhata Castle in person, and he didn't send someone to escort us along the way, let us go to Suemori Castle alone, and I thought how good the security in the Oda family was in the territory, and I only walked a few miles before I saw several groups of bandits!" Yoshitoki smacked his mouth and couldn't help but let out a complaint.

Soji Tsugawa shook his head, "It is rumored that the Oda family has just been defeated in Mino, and Katsuhata Castle is the border with Nishimino, and Sakuma Morishige thought that he was afraid of dispersing the forces in the city, so he couldn't send troops to escort him. Now that he has entered the territory of the Oda family, what if he encounters a few bandits? Can this family still be afraid? ”

After speaking, Soji Tsugawa looked up at the sky, and then asked, "Where is the front?" ”

"Back to the lord, according to what the villagers said just now, more than twenty miles further east is Qingzhou City." Yajima Tadabei came to Tsugawa Soji's side and replied in a whisper.

"Full speed ahead, we'll rest in Qingzhou City tonight!"

"Hah!"